Govt eases rules to help disabled register vehicle

Source: The post is based on the article “Govt eases rules to help disabled register vehicle” published in The Hindu on 4th February 2023.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has asked states to register vehicles owned by people with disabilities under the ownership category of ‘Divyangjan’ and extend necessary tax benefits.

Who is eligible for registering vehicles under the Divyangjan category?

Vehicles owned by people with 40% disability are eligible for registration under the ownership category of “Divyangjan”. These vehicles will be provided with necessary tax benefits such as GST and road tax benefits and exemptions such as paying toll on highways.

What are the guidelines issued regarding the registration of vehicles under the Divyangjan category?

Firstly, Persons with disabilities who own a vehicle and hire a driver can’t be deprived of getting the vehicle registration under the ‘Divyangjan’ category. This means now it is the ownership of the vehicle and not the type of vehicle that will be the deciding factor for registration under the category.

Secondly, he/she may not be able to afford a new vehicle and once he applies for registration of the vehicle in his name, it should be registered under the category of ‘Divyangjan’.

The third condition is of a vehicle owner becoming physically disabled and then applying for a change in the ownership category. In that case too, the authorities must change the category to ‘Divyangjan.